Typewriting machine



'Aug- 20, 19 J. c. M. SCHNEIDER TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed M 28, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l g- 20, 1929- .1. c. M. SCHNEIDER 1,725,542

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28. 1,926 2 sheets-sneer 2 Fig. 7.

'l'lllllfll- Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'OSEF C. 'M. SCHNEIDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 'IO UNDER/WOOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING- MACHINE.

Application filed August 28, 1926.

This invention relates to stencil-typing machines in which a stencil card is caused to move up and down in front of a platen for line spacing the address. The card includes a frame of heavy paper upon which is stretched a sheet of stencil paper.

After typing a set of cards, it is customary to copy each card on a record strip prior to printing the envelopes. The strip is automatically spaced equal amounts after each impression. But since the number of lines on each card is different, varying possibly between three and five lines it has been found necessary to make the spaces wide enough to receive five lines, although most of the addresses require only three lines. This makes the record sheets cumbersome and awkward to handle.

It is one of the objects of this invention to overcome this difficulty. To this end, there is provided mechanism whereby each address may be centered upon the card regardless of the number of lines typed thereon. Moreover, the spacing of the lines of typing on the cards is proportional to the number of lines, so that the total space used is nearly the same regardless of the number of lines.

The stencil cards are filed in special cabinets, and, in order to facilitate identification thereof, the name or any other identification mark is typed upon the upper edge of the card-frame The problem encountered when typing the cards is that the frame must be ribbon-typed, whereas the typing on the stencil sheet must be cut with the bare type. According to certain features of this invention there is provided mechanism whereby the cards are automatically posi tioned to first receive typing upon the edge of the frame, and are subsequently positioned for successive lines of typing upon the stencil sheet. This is done by means of the linespace handle.

It is obvious that if the spacing between the lines of typing is based upon the number of lines to be typed on the sheet, the distance between the line of typing on the frame and the first line of typing on the stencil sheet will be variable. According to this invention, the operator first sets an indicated finger-wheel or knob to a position corresponding to the number of lines to be typed on the stencil sheet. The knob rotates with the platen when the same is line-spaced Serial No. 132,114.

by means of the line-space-l ever, which is effective not only to line-space the card several lines during the first line-spacing movement, but also to line-space the card amounts corresponding to a subdivision of the total number of lines upon the stencil sheet during subsequent line-spacing movements. It will be seen from the foregoing that the operator, once having set the machine for addresses having a predetermined number of lines, need not further manipulate the ma chine since suit-able spaces between the lines of typing are automatically obtained by operating the line-space-lever.

Owing to the necessity of moistening the stencil cards to facilitate cutting thereof, it has been difficult to keep the cardholding frame clean. According to another feature of this invention, openings are provided in the frame at the corners of the card, so that the dirt accumulating in the frame is automatically pushed out each time a card is inserted in the frame.

Other features and advantages will here inafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1. is a cross-sectional view in ele vation of part of an Underwood typewri'ting machine having the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a front view showing the cardholding frame in its lowermost position.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and shows the linespacing mechanism in its normal position.

Figure 4; is a cross-sectional view showing the ratchet-shifting mechanism in its normal position.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the means for connecting the platen with the line-spacelever.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the line-spacing ratchet, and means for con trolling engagement of the pawl with the ratchet.

Figure 7 is a detailed View showing the platen-rotating mechanism in a position to receive the first line of typing on the stencil sheet.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the pawl in a position to rotate the platen for the second line of typing.

Figure 9 shows a retaining ratchet-andpawl, and means for moving the pawl to its ineffective position.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 4, but shows the ratchet-shifting operation.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a deflector-plate for guiding the card which serves also as a means for controlling the position of the ribbon-vibrator.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show a difierent number of lines centered upon the stencil sheet, a line of typing being written upon the u er edge of the card.

This invention is illustrated as applied to an Underwood standard typewriting machine and is especially adapted for handling stencil cards, such as illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14. Said cards consist of a heavy paper-frame 20 which surrounds a stencil sheet 21 upon which lines of typing 22 are cut with the bare type. In order to facilitate identification of the cards with out necessitating their being withdrawn from the filing box, it is customary to type a line 23 upon the upper edge of the frame. Said line of type, however, is printed through the ribbon.

'Aecording to the method of handling the work in this invention the stencil card is inserted in a card-holding frame 24, and is positioned in a pocket formed by side edges 25, 26, and a bottom edge 27. The frame is arranged to reciprocate up and down in front of a platen 32 carried by a shaft 38 to which it is secured by means of screws 39. The platen is provided with a pair of gears 28 engaging with racks 29 fast to the frame 24, which is slidably mounted in grooves 30 cut into supporting plates 31. The frame 24 is made out of sheet-metal plateabout 3/32 of an inch thick, having a cut, slightly deeper than the thickness of the card, milled into the plate which forms the card-pocket. The pocket is closed by means of thin plates 33 which are fast to the frame 24 by means of screws 34. The card is held in place in said pocket by means of fingers 35, forming an integral part of a plate 36, the fingers being adjustably mounted on the frame 24 by means of screws 37.

After typing the line 23 upon the frame of the card through aribbon 40 and typebars 41, the frame is elevated to line-space the card for the first line of typing upon the stencil sheet. Prior to typing upon the stencil sheet, however, the ribbon is silenced so that the bare type will strike the stencil sheet. The ribbon may. be silenced automatically in a manner such as disclosed in the patent to Kurowski No. 1,128,612, dated February 16, 1915.

According to this invention, novel means are provided not only for line-spacing the card, but also for centering addresses of any number of lines upon the stencil sheet. To this end, there is provided a knob 42 slidably mounted on the shaft 38, which knob is held in its normal position, shown in Figure 4, by means of a spring 44. The knob is held in engagement with a disk 45, fast to the shaft 38, by means of a pin 46 which enters one of a series of holes 47 in a ratchet-wheel 48. The ratchet-wheel 48 may be positioned relatively to the disk 45 by moving the knob outwardly to the position shown in Figure 10, and then rotating the knob, so as to present another one of the holes 47 to the pin 46. The knob is is provided with indicating numerals 49, which determine the number of lines which may be centered on the stencil sheet.

Prior to typing the addresses on the stencil sheet, it is desired to first ribbon-type a line on the upper edge of the card. To this end the cardholding frame is forced downwardly, so that by pressing on a fingerpieee 51 tabs 43 strike against a stop or rod 50. This positions the card, as shown in Figure 2. After typing the line 23 on the card a line-space-lever 52 is operated to return the carriage and also to line-space the carriage for the first line of typing on the sheet. The distance between these two lines is dependent on the number of lines typed. on the sheet. In order that this distance may be a-uton'iatically obtained by operating the line space-lever, there is provided a shuttle plate 53, pivotally mounted on the shaft 38, and held in the position, shown in Figure 3, against a pin 54 by means of a spring The line-space-lever 52 is swingable on a stud 56, and actuates by means of a finger 57 a slide 58, which carries a pawl 59 pivotally mounted at 60. The pawl 59 is held in the position shown in Figure 3 by means of a spring 61., and when the slide is actuated engages a tooth 62 of the ratchet-wheel 48, and carries the platen to the position shown in Figure 7. While rotating the platen, the shuttle-plate 53 is swung against a stop 63, in which position it is held by the spring 55. When releasing the line-spacelcver, a spring 64 is effective to move the slide back to its normal position, as shown in Figure 8. During this movement of the slide, the pawl 59 will ride over an extension 65, which forms an integral part of the plate 53. The extension 65 is effective to prevent the pawl 59 from engaging more than one tooth during the next actuation of the line-space-levcr, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8.

It will be understood that the ratchetwheel 48 is provided with three sets of teeth 66, 67 and 68, the teeth in each set being spaced to correspond to the desired number of lines of typing on the sheet, and each set being movable by rotating the knob 42 to the field of the pawl 59. In order that the platen may be held in place While typing a line, there is provided a retaining ratchetwheel 69 having teeth 70 designed to cooperate with a roller 71 carried by an arm 72 mounted on a stud 73. Said arm is held in engagement with the ratchet by means of a spring 74, but may be moved to ineffective position, as shown in Figure 9, by depressing a finger-piece 75, to thereby rotate a plate 76 mounted on the shaft 38 and force the roller out of engagement with the ratchet.

The platenshaft 38 is journaled in end plates 77 and 78 connected to form a rigid frame, by means of an apron or rear table 79 and a cross-bar 80. The side. plates 31 in which the cardholding frame is slidably mounted are supported by brackets 81 carried by the cross-bar 80. The brackets are secured to the plates 31 by means of screws 82, and to the shaft by means of screws 83. To further hold the plates 31 in a rigid position there is provided a U-shaped plate 84 which is fast to a cross-bar 85 by means of screws 86. The plate 84 is provided with ears 88, at the ends thereof, which ears are passed through slots 87 in the table 79 and are secured to the plate 31 by -means of screws 89.

In order to facilitate cleaning of the cardholding frame there is provided a pair of dirt-grooves 90, preferably end nnlled flush with the back rest of the card-pocket. The dirt which accumulates in the card-pocket is pushed into the grooves each time a fresh card is inserted in the holder, and the dirt in the grooves is ejected to the exterior through holes 91 pierced in the plates Since the card is held in a curved condition in the card-holding frame 24 it is possible to shift the platen to either upper or lower case position. The platen is shiftable by the rod 50 which supports a roller 92 mounted on the cross-bar 80. The platenframe is guided by means of arms 93 pivotally mounted on a shaft 94 which engage pins 95 fast to the end plates 77 and 78. The carriage is arranged for letter-space movement along rails 96 carried by the machine-frame 97.

In order to facilitate insertion of the card in the card-holding frame there is provided a deflecting plate 98, secured to the type-bar segment 101 by means of screws 99 through holes 102. This plate is bent to conform with the curvature of the card-holding frame, and serves also as a back guide for a ribbon vibrator 100 which carries the ribbon 40.

In order to limit the upward movement of the card-holding frame and prevent accidental displacement, there are provided screws 103 fast to the plates which interpose the tabs 43, and prevent further movement of the card-holding frame. In order to re move the frame when it becomes necessary to clean it, the screws 103 are unscrewed and the frame is pulled upwardly.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 7

1. The combination, in a stencil-cardwriting machine, of a platen, a card-holding frame arranged to reciprocate in front of the platen, a line-spacing lever for the plat en, and settable means for controlling the extent of each line-spacing movement of the line-spacing lever, said means including a finger-wheel, a ratchet-wheel, said ratchetwheel having sets of teeth out on its periphery, each set of teeth corresponding to a predetermined line-spacing of the card, and a pawl reciprocated by the linespacing lever and co-operating with the ratchet-wheel, said finger-wheel being settable to present any set of teeth to the pawl.

2. The combination, in a stencil-cardwriting machine, of a platen, a card-holding frame arranged to reciprocate in front of the platen, a line-spacing lever for the platen, and settable means for controlling the extent of eachline-spacing movement of the line-spacing lever, said means including a finger-wheel, a ratchet-wheel, said ratchet wheel having sets of teeth out on its periphery, each set of teeth corresponding to a predetermined line-spacing of the card, a pawl reciprocated by the line-spacing lever and co-operating with the ratchet-wheel, said finger-wheel being settable to present any set of teeth to the pawl, and a shuttleplate for guiding the pawl and preventing its engaging more than one tooth after the initial operation of the line-spacing lever.

3. In a stencil-card-writing machine, having a platen and a line-spacing lever therefor, means for line-spacing the card a wide space during the first line-spacing movement of the line-space-lever and for reducing the width of the line spaces in subsequent linespacing movements of the line-spacing lever,

said means including a ratchet-wheel having 8 sets of equidistantly-spaced teeth on its periphery, each set of teeth being of different pitch, a pawl controlled by the 1inespacelever for engaging said teeth, and means for setting the ratchet-wheel so that any set of teeth may be engaged by the pawl.

4. In a stencil-card-writing machine, having a platen and a line-spacing lever there for, means for line-spacing the card a wide space during the first line-spacing movement of the line-space-lever and for reducing the width of the line spaces in subsequent linespacing movements of the line-spacing lever, said means including a ratchet-wheel having sets of equidistantly-spaced teeth on its periphery, each set of teeth being of different' pitch, a pawl controlled by the line space-lever for engaging said teeth and means for setting the ratchet-wheel so that any set of teeth may be engaged by the pawl, and a shuttle'plate normally in ineffective position but movable to effective position during the first line-spacing movement of the pawl, the pawl engaging the first tooth of the active set of teeth during the first stroke of the line-space-lever, thereby linespacing the stencil card several line spaces.

5. In a stencilcard-writing machine, having a platen anda line-spaclng lever therefor, means for line-spacing the card a wide space during the first line-spacing movement of the line-space-lever and for reducing the width of the line spaces in subsequent linespacing movements of the line-spacing lever, said means including a ratchet-wheel having sets of equidistantly-spaced teeth on its periphery, each set of teeth being of different pitch, a pawl controlled by the linespace-lever for engaging said teeth, and means for setting the ratchet-wheel so that any set of teeth may be engaged by the pawl, said last-mentioned means including a linger-wheel fast to the ratchet-whcel, both being slidably mounted upon the platenshaft, at one end thereof, and a spring for holding the ratchet-wheel in engagement with a pin carried by a disk fast to the platen-shaft.

6. In an address stencil-card-typing machine, the combination with a platen, of a stencil-card holding and feeding device operable for initially presenting the top mem ber of the frame of the card to the printing line of the platen, and irregular line-spacing mechanism connected to said deviceand including selectively settable means effective for moving the device from the initial typing position thereof to impart a preliminary line-spacing jump to the card to make an interval for line-spacing about as extensive as the interval occurring between the bottom line of the address and the bottom member of the frame.

7,111 an address stencil-card-typing machine, the combination with a platen, of a stencil-card holding and feeding device operable for initially presenting the top member of the frame of the card to the printing line of the platen, and irregular line-spacing mechanism connected to said device and in-' eluding selectively settable means effective for moving the device for a selected number of lines or intervals from the initial typing position thereof, and further effect for mov-.

ing the device to impart a preliminary linespacing jump to the card to make an interval for line-spacing about as extensive as the interval occurring between the bottom line of the address and the bottom member of the frame.

8. In an address stencil-card-typing machine, the combination with a platen, of a stencil-card holding and feeding device operable for initially presenting the top member of the frame of the card to the printing line of the platen, and irregular line-spacing mechanism connected to said device and including settable means effective for moving the device from the initial typingposition thereof to impart to the card a selected preliminary line-spacing jump to make an interval about as extensive as the interval occurring between the bottom line of the address and the bottom member of the frame, and further including means settable with the first-named means and effective for moving the device to line-space the card for a selected number of regular intervals sub sequent to the line-spacing jump.

9. In an address stencil-card-typing machine, the combination with a platen, of a stencil-card holding and feeding device operable for initially presenting the top member of the frame of the card to the printing line of the platen, and irregular line-spacing mechanism connected to said device and including settable means effective for moving the device from the initial typing position thereof to impart to the card a selected preliminary line-spacing jump to make an interval about as extensive as the interval occurring between the bottom line of the address and the bottom member of the frame, and further including means settable with the first-named means and effective for moving the device to line-space the card for a selected number of regular intervals, each of an extent having a definite relation to the extent of the selected preliminary line-spacing jump, and made subsequent thereto.

10. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, a line-space lever for the platen and linc-spacing mechanism operable by said lever, and means dependent upon the movement of the platen to cause said lever to produce a maximum line-space upon the first operation of said lever and to change to minimum line-spacing upon a subsequent operation of the lever.

11. A stencil-eard-typing machine includ ing, in combination, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line adjacent the top edge of said card, a line-space-lever for the platen, and line-spacing mechanism operable by said lever, and means dependent upon the movement of the platen to cause said leverto produce a maximum line-space upon the first operation of said lever and to change to minimum line-spacing upon a subsequent operation of the lever, said means including a selective settable member which determines the number of lines to be typed during the minimum, line-spacing operations and the position of and spacing between said lines on the stencil-sheet of the card.

12. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen, a line-space-lever for the platen, and a card-holding frame arranged to reciprocate in front of the platen upon rotation thereof and operatively connected with the platen so as to present the card at the printing line of the platen for typing a line adjacent the top edge of said card, and settable means for controlling the extent of each line-spacing movement of the linespacedever to group and space a predetermined number of lines upon the stencilsheet of the card, so that the lines typed thereon will be centered in the space between the top and bottom edges of the card.

18. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen carriage, a platen and a line-space-lever for the platen, means for elevating the stencil-card by rotating the platen, and settable means on the platen-shaft for controlling the extent and number of the line-spacing movements of the line-space-lever during the typing of a stencil-card.

14. A stencil-card-typing-machine including, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen and a line-space-lever for the platen, means for elevating the stencil-card by rotating the platen, settable means on the platen-shaft for controlling the extent and number of the line-spacing movements of the lii'ic-space-lever during the typing of a stencil-card, and manually-operable means for shifting said settable means on the platen-shaft for a different number of lines to be typed on the stencil-card.

15. A stenciLcard-typing machine includ ing, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting with the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the card, and a detent mounted on the platen-carriage co-operating with said settable means for regulating the line-space position of the platen according to the position of the settable means with respect to the platen.

16. A stencil-card-typing machine includ ing, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting with the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the card, a detent mounted on the platencarriage co-opeating with said settable means for regulating the line'space position of the platen according to the position of the settable means with respect to the platen, and a finger-wheel for rotating the platen to different line-space positions and for shifting said settable means with respect to the platen for a different number of lines to be typed upon the stencil-card.

17. A stenoil-cardtyping machine including, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting With the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the card, a detent mounted on the platen-carriage co-operating with said settablemeans for regulating the line-space position of the platen according to the position. of the settable means with respect to the platen, and a line-space-lever for rotating the platen by successive operations thereof to actuate the plat-en to different linespace positions according to the position of said settable means with respect to the platen.

18. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen-carriage, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting with the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the card, a detent mounted on the platen-carriage co-operating with said settable means for regulating the line-space position of the platen according to the position of the settable means with respect to the platen, a line-space-lever for rotating the platen by successive operations thereof to actuate the platen to different line-space positions according to the position of said settable means with respect to the platen, and a finger-wheel also operable for rotating the platen to the different line-space positions independently of the line-space-lever and for shifting said settable means With respect to the platen for a different number of lines to be typed upon the stencil-card.

19. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting with the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the card, said settable means provided with different sets of'different numbers of lines to be typed on the card which may be brought into active position selectively, and holding means for each of said sets of lines.

20. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, means to present the card at the printing line of the platen, settable means coacting with the platen for determining the number and spacing of the lines to be typed on the .card, said settable. means provided with different sets of different numbers of lines to be typed on the card which may be brought into ac tive position selectively, holding means for each of said sets of lines, and means to render said holding means ineffective.

21. 'A card-holding frame for a stencilcard-typing machine, said frame having a vertically-arranged pocket for the down Ward insertion of a stencil-card, said pocket being closed along its side edges and around the lower corners, but provided with outwardly-projecting recesses at the corners having openings through the side Walls thereof through which dirt pushed down Wardly into said recesses may be ejected each time a card is inserted in the pocket.

22. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, a line-spaclever for the platen, line-spacing mechanism operable by said lever to produce a maximum line-space upon the first operation of said lin e-space-lever, and a shuttle-plate shiftablo with the platen upon said maximum-spacing movement of the platen to a position to coact with the line-spacing mechanism to cause said mechanism to produce a minimum linespace upon a subsequent operation of the lever. l

23. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, a line-spacelever for the platen, line-spacing mechanism operable by said lever to produce a maximum line-space upon the first operation of said line-space-lever, a shuttle-plate sh'iftable with the platen upon said maximum spacing movement of the platen to a position to coact with the line-spacing mechanism to cause said mechanism to produce a minimum linespace upon a subsequent operation of the lever, and means to limit the number of linespacing movements of the platen.

24. A stencil-card-typing machine including, in combination, a platen, line-spacing mechanism for the platen, means to present a card at the printing line of the platen for typing an initial line adjacent the top edge of said card, a shuttle-plate operative to cause said line-spacing mechanism to produce a maximum line-space upon the first operation thereof and to shift upon said linespace operation and thereafter in its shifted position operative to cause said mechanism to produce a minimum line-space upon a subsequent operation of the line-spacing mechanism, and means for returning said shuttle-plate to initial position when a card is presented for an initial line of typing adj acent its top edge.

25. In a stencil-card-typing machine including a platen-carriage and a platen, a card-holding frame to reciprocate in front of the platen to present a stencil-card to the printing line of the platen, guide-members for said frame mounted on the platen-carriage, a projection on said frame, and a removable stud forming an abutment for said projection to limit the upward movement of the card-holding frame and prevent accidental displacement thereof.

JOSEF C. M; SCHNEIDER. 

